New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1887-01-12

MfnncsotA Il waA held by Che court that
town lots belonging to or held in Irrust for the
state university. but not set apart or occupied
Tor public purposes. might be acquired by CON
demnar1on proceedings as In the case Of lands OF
private persons or corporations In this CON
neotl0n the attorney general remarks: In view
OF tne TACT that the property of the university
tne property OF the state, and consequently
could not be taken without express Legislative
authority. and in view of the fact that In the
clause found In section Is supra, there is moth
ing limiting the right to take nhe class of prop
erty referred to. to property not devoted to
pubic llse this decision would seem to place all
the lands OF the state, however occupied, at the
mercy OF any railroad enterprise passing neal
the same: This statement of the attorney gen
eral will be sufficient to indicate to you she i'm
portance OF so amending the statute that 1t may,
oy explicit language, be limited to the lands
granted by congress to the state to endow the
university, for the benefit of schools, for pur-
poses OF internal improvement and lands of that
character.
With the object of forcing the old land grant
railroad companies whose roads have been sold
but which kept up their organizions for the sole
purpose OF holding their lands exempt from tax
alton, to dispose Of such lands and thus place
them In the tax lists, the attorney general COM
menced proceedings against five of these COM
Panles In the supreme court to forfeit their
charters. In two OF these cases such q convey
ance OF the lands was made by agreement as de-
stroyed their immunity from taxation. One
case was decided adversely to the state. but the
favor. This action will result in large additions
to the tax lists of several of the counties of the
state and i'll a more equitable distribution OF the
burdens OF taxation. The attorney general has
successfully prosecuted claim for an increase
OF taxes due from the Northern Pacific Railway
company, which under the Judgment of cour.
VIII add S4o l5459 to he revenues Of the state
for the current year. In ali these proceedings
The attorney general hos manifested that indus
try energy and ability that has peculiarly sig
nalzed the administs alton of his department.
fer nf h1C jn,,1 no, Of
Office
STATE DAIRY COMMISSION
The dairy interests of the state were at one
time threatened with irreparable injury by the
competition of Oleagineous products which were
being generally introduced into our markets
AS measure Of protection to this important
and rapidly growing industry of our people, the
legislature OF 1883 enacted a law prohibiting
the sale or manufacture of unhealthy or adul-
terated dairy products" A commissioner and
an assistant authorized by the law were APP
pointed to enforce it's provisions The very in
terest1ng report of the commissioner will ad-
wise you of his proceedings aud experience in
the discharge of his duties. AS was expected,
be encountered the energetic opposition of man
ufacturers and dealers in the fraudulent
product. who attacked the law in the courts and
by every possible device sought to defeat its ex-
ecut1on- The commissioner and his able assist
ant, however. were indefatigabe and persistent,
and as result of their efforts the base tabrica-
lions sold as pure dairy products arc sub
stantially expelled from The state 1T is
estimated that the import of oleomarcarine for
the past year has been not to exceed 500, 900
pounds. while for the year preceding it was fully
100000 pounds; and AS consequence, the
genuine product of the dairy has sold at from
three to hive cents per pound better prices. The
public has been the victim of various nposl-
tions practlced in different departments OF it's
industry. but I think it will be admitted that
the ingenuity of depraved human genius has
eliminated in the production OF oleomargarine
aud its kindred denominations.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Tho Of i1,ae IL
ical society shows for the organization a graf
flying condition Of prosperity: It's lib ary now
numbers 25.17 volumes, and its collection OF
historical and archaeological relics has received
large ana valuable accessiOnS Gurng the past
two years. The interesting details of the report
Will repay perusal.
FISH COMMISSION.
The fish commission have distributed o.
Sl3. LAT nsh and II, 1OO, 900 eggs in the waters
OF the state during the past two years. These
include the most desirable species of food fishes
adapted to our lakes and streams. The work of
the commission has been prosecuted inteii-
gently, and as indicated by its report, with re-
suits OF highly satisfactory character.
STEAM BOILER INSPECTION
The report of the board Of inspectors for
steam boilers and steam vessels. herewith trans
mlCLed, EXHIBITS as result of its work since the
passage OF the law creating the board. the in
spec9lOn OF ~ steam vessels and 3. $3.50 steam
boilers, of which latter 81 were condemned and
3l5 ordered to be repaired: 1913 chief engineer
licenses were issued 1,4S7 assistant. and $3.50
special. But one boiler explosion is reported,
resulting in the loss OF one life. The average
loss of life from such cause prior to to the pas
sage OF the law is stated by the report to have
been eight, thus clearly demonstrating the util-
ity of the service. The law needs some amend
ment, the character of which will be suggested
by the inspectors in a future communication.
INSURANCE STATISTICS.
The report of the insurance commissioner
gives valuable information and contains many
practical suggestions respecting the Insurance
business transacted in the state. Its aggregate
IN 1886 was: Risks written, 5000. $50, 3a4 ;
premiums received, $2,77O,3 lSl9: losses paid,
ST ,26S, 1920. The companies paid in taxes
and fees to che state 1854, 7Oj 76 in 1855 and
1909 81 in 1856.
LOGS AND LUMBER.
The several surveyors GENERAL report the fol-
lowing statistics respecting the lumber interests
of the state:
(Feet Logs Scaled.)
1885. 1856.
FIRST district. 1900, O22,3S0 224, 423. 800
second district. -. ..31G,262,2lO 24S. 127,9SO
Fifth district ........ 47.1lS,27O 7O.964, 500
Seventh district. .......... IS. 12O, $40